Extendable luggage

ABSTRACT

Luggage in which the main storage compartment is extendable. The compartment cover is also extendable, comprising material that covers the opening of the main storage compartment through which the compartment is packed with items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Application claims priority of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 63/122,271, filed Dec. 7, 2020, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates to luggage for carrying clothing and otherpersonal items while traveling, and more particularly to luggageconfigured to modify its storage volume.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Luggage for storing clothing and other personal items while travelingcommonly has a hard or rigid shell that cannot be expanded. However,some luggage includes a feature by which the volume of the main storagecompartment may be expanded, for example by providing a strong flexiblestrip of material between front and rear portions of the maincompartment. The strip may be folded and stored, for example using azipper that couples the front portion directly to the rear portion. Ifmore space is needed in the luggage, the zipper can be unzipped to allowthe strip of material to unfold and increase the volume of the maincompartment. Generally the material strip provides only a couple ofinches of additional depth to the main compartment. This may besufficient to provide convenient additional storage space for arelatively small amount of new items acquired when traveling. But if acomparatively large amount of additional space is needed, for example ifthe storage space needs to be doubled, the most common solutions includeshipping items home in the box, or buying a new piece of luggage tocarry the new items until the traveler returns home. This may beproblematic, for example if the traveler is on a tight budget, or ifshipping options are limited, or traveling storage containers areunavailable or undesirable.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an extendable luggage system includes a bottom sectionhaving a bottom, a plurality of sidewalls, a top opening and a sideopening, the plurality of sidewalls coupled to the bottom, a top sectionhaving a top, a plurality of sidewalls a bottom opening, and a sideopening, the plurality of sidewalls coupled to the top, the top sectionslidably coupled to the bottom section with the side opening of the topsection and the side opening of the bottom section defining a frontopening, a cover storage device coupled to a bottom surface of thebottom, and a cover coupled to the cover storage device, the coverdesigned to slidably cover the front opening, where the bottom section,the top section, and the cover define an interior volume.

The system may also include where the top section is designed is smallerthan the bottom section.

The system may also include where the cover includes a flexiblematerial.

The system may also include where the cover includes a plurality ofrigid horizontal slats. Other technical features may be readily apparentto one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, andclaims.

In one aspect, an extendable luggage system includes a bottom sectionhaving a bottom, a left side, a right side, and a back side, the backside permanently coupled at right angles to the left side and the rightside, and the bottom permanently coupled at right angles to the backside, the left side, and the right side, a top section having a top, aleft side, a right side, and a back side, the back side permanentlycoupled at right angles to the left side and the right side, and the toppermanently coupled at right angles to the back side, the left side, andthe right side, the top section slidably coupled to the bottom sectionwith the left sides disposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other,the right sides disposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other, andthe back sides disposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other, wherea free edge of each of the left sides, the right sides, the top, and thebottom define an opening, a cover storage device permanently coupled toa bottom surface of the bottom, and a cover permanently coupled at abottom end to the cover storage device and slidably coupled to the leftand right sides of the bottom section and the top section, where thebottom section and the top section when slidably coupled together andwith the cover extended from the free edge of the bottom to the freeedge of the top defining an interior volume as a luggage storagecompartment.

The system may also include a plurality of sliding member pairspermanently coupled to the back, left, and right sides of the topsection and the bottom section, or permanently coupled to the edges ofthe top section and the bottom section where the back, left, and rightsides meet, or a combination of both, slidably coupling each of thesliding members permanently coupled to the top section to acorresponding sliding member of the bottom section.

The system may also include a plurality of casters permanently coupledto the bottom side of the bottom, and a cover locking mechanismpermanently coupled to at least one of the cover and the free edge ofthe top. Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilledin the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

The system may also include where the cover is designed to roll up inthe cover storage device.

The system may also include further includes an extension devicepermanently coupled to the bottom section and operatively coupled to thesliding members permanently coupled to the top section. Other technicalfeatures may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from thefollowing figures, descriptions, and claims.

It is an object of the present invention to provide extendable luggage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide extendable luggagewith a cover designed to cover an opening that can change sizes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide extendable luggagewith casters that allow the luggage to roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows three perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of apiece of luggage without being extended, partly extended, and fullyextended.

FIG. 2 shows three perspective views of an exemplary embodiment showingthe luggage storage compartment cover being extended to fully enclosethe compartment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment, with thestorage compartment fully extended and the cover partly extended.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view of the bottom of an embodiment,showing an exemplary means for rolling up, storing, and unrolling thecompartment cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of an embodiment, showing thecompartment cover being extended and locked.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the central portion of an embodimentillustrating the compartment extending mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures areidentified with the same reference numerals. The embodiments areprovided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is notintended to be limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention isdefined by the claims. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art mayappreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing thepresent drawings that various modifications and variations can be madethereto.

Referring now to FIG. 1, three perspective views of an exemplaryembodiment of a piece of luggage are shown, from left to right withoutbeing extended 102, partly extended 104, and fully extended 106. Casters108 are coupled to the bottom corners of the embodiment for rolling theluggage on a flat surface. The main storage compartment of theembodiment is defined by an interior space formed by a top section 110slidably coupled to a bottom section 112 and the compartment cover 114closed.

The bottom section 112 comprises a bottom 118 permanently coupled atright angles to the bottom edges of three sides: a bottom section leftside, right side, and back side. The left and right sides are alsopermanently coupled at right angles to the back side, where the edges ofthe left and right sides meet the edges of the back side. A plurality ofsliding members 116 are permanently coupled to the back, left, and rightsides, or the edges where they meet, or both, for slidably coupling tocorresponding sliding members 116 of the top section 110.

The top section 110 comprises a lid 120 permanently coupled at rightangles to the top of a top section left side, right side, and back side.The left and right sides are also permanently coupled to the back sideat right angles. A plurality of sliding members 116 are permanentlycoupled to the top section back, left side, and right side, disposed atpositions matching those on the bottom section 112 when the top andbottom sections 110, 112 are assembled together. The top and bottomsections 110, 112 are thereby slidably coupled to corresponding slidingmembers 116 permanently coupled to one of the top and bottom sections110, 112.

In embodiments, the top section 110 may be configured with a perimeterslightly larger than the perimeter of the bottom section 112, so thatthe top section 110 can slide over the outside surface of the bottomsection 112. If so, the sliding members 116 are disposed on the insideof the top section 110, positioned to engage corresponding slidingmembers 116 disposed on the outside of the bottom section 112.Alternatively, the top section 110 may be configured with a perimeterslightly smaller than the perimeter of the bottom section 112, so thatthe top section 110 slides into the bottom top section 110. If so, thesliding members 116 are disposed on the outside of the top section 110,positioned to engage corresponding sliding members 116 disposed on theinside of the bottom section 112.

The sliding members 116 may be disposed at any convenient location alongthe perimeter of the top and bottom sections 110, 112. For example,tubes having a circular or other matching cross section may be affixedat the vertical edges of the top and bottom sections 110, 112. Inembodiments in which the top section 110 has a perimeter slightly largerthan the perimeter of the bottom section 112, the tubes disposed alongthe edges of the top section 110 may be configured with a crosssectional area slightly larger than the diameter of the tubes of thebottom section 112, so that the top section 110 tubes slide over thebottom section 112 tubes as the top section 110 slides over the bottomsection 112. The sliding members 116 of the top section 110 arepositioned to engage corresponding sliding members 116 of the bottomsection 112 when the top section 110 slides over the bottom section 112.

Conversely, in embodiments in which the top section 110 has a perimeterslightly smaller than the perimeter of the bottom section 112, the tubesdisposed along the edges of the top section 110 may be configured with across sectional area slightly smaller than that of the tubes of thebottom section 112, so that the tubes of the bottom section 112 slideover the tubes of the top section 110 as the top section 110 slides intothe bottom section 112. The sliding members 116 of the top section 110are positioned to engage corresponding sliding members 116 of the bottomsection 112 when the top section 110 slides into the bottom section 112.

Alternatively or in addition, rails may be affixed vertically to thesides of the bottom section 112 and the top sections 110 at any locationalong their respective perimeters, disposed such that the rails of thetop section 110 slidably engage corresponding rails of the bottomsection 112 when the top and bottom sections 110, 112 are assembledtogether, in like manner as described previously with regard to tubularsliding members 116 disposed at the vertical edges of the top and bottomsections 112.

In embodiments when the top and bottom sections 110, 112 are assembledtogether, the top section 110 may be raised or lowered by sliding thetop section 110 while keeping the bottom section 112 stationary, or bymoving the top and bottom sections 110, 112 in opposite directions. Whenthe top and bottom sections 110, 112 are in a preferred relativeposition, they may be locked together to maintain that position. Anyconvenient mechanism may be used both to raise and lower the top section110, and to lock it into place. For example, any convenient type ofratchet or jack mechanism may be used to raise and lower the top section110. Such a ratchet or jack may be operated by a foot pedal or handcrank or the like (not shown). Any convenient type of friction lock,clamp lock, metal pins inserted in holes in the structural members, orthe like may be used to lock the sliding members 116 in a preferredextension position.

The compartment cover 114 that covers the luggage storage compartmentmay be made of any appropriate type of cover material. In embodiments,the compartment cover 114 material may be taken up and let out from aspool-like mechanism 122 coupled to the bottom 118 of the luggage. Fromthere, it may be extended to any height the luggage may be extended to.In embodiments, the compartment cover 114 may be locked to the luggagetop by any appropriate type of locking mechanism 124. For example, alatch, buckle, or other locking mechanism known in the art may be used.The locking mechanism 124 may secured to the luggage top by a lock, suchas a combination lock, or a lock opened by a key.

In embodiments, the compartment cover 114 may be made of a material thatis rigid when extended to cover the storage compartment opening 202. Forexample, a plurality of interlocking horizontal bars, sticks, or slatsmay be included in the compartment cover 114 material which provides asubstantially rigid compartment cover 114 when in use. Such acompartment cover 114 may operate similarly to the roll-top of aroll-top desk. The slats of such a compartment cover 114114 may engageslots formed in vertical structural members bordering the storagecompartment opening 202. A slot may also be formed in a horizontalstructural member bordering the front edge of the lid 120. Othercovering arrangements may alternatively be used.

FIG. 2 shows three perspective views of an exemplary embodiment showingthe luggage storage compartment cover 114 being extended to fullyenclose the compartment. As shown, the luggage remains without beingextended 102 as the compartment cover 114 is extended to cover thecompartment opening 202. It is noted the compartment cover 114 may beextended to cover the compartment opening 202 whether the luggage iswithout being extended 102, fully extended 106, or partly extended 104.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary embodiment, withthe storage compartment fully extended 106, and the compartment cover114 partially extended. Two luggage extension locking mechanisms 124 areshown where the front vertical structural members of the bottom section112 of the luggage meet the front vertical structural members of the topsection 110. In this configuration, two more locking mechanisms 124 maybe disposed in corresponding locations of the rear vertical structuralmembers of the top and bottom sections 110, 112. In addition, thespool-like mechanism 122 for rolling and unrolling of the compartmentcover 114 is also shown attached to the bottom 118 of the luggage. Thespool-like mechanism 122 may be motorized, or it may be manuallyoperated. If motorized, operating power may be provided by a cordplugged into a mains outlet and operatively coupled to the motor.Alternatively or in addition, a battery may be included in the luggageoperatively coupled to the motor. The battery may be rechargeable,replaceable, or both.

FIG. 4 is a close-up cutaway perspective view of the bottom 118 of anembodiment, showing a cutaway view of exemplary means for rolling up,storing, and unrolling the compartment cover 114. In embodiments, someor all of the casters 108 may have a locking mechanism to keep them fromrolling, such as a foot-operated lever coupled to a friction brake (notshown).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of an embodiment, showing thecompartment cover 114 being extended and locked. The locking mechanism124 is shown in an unlocked state when the compartment cover 114 ispartially open, and in a locked state when the compartment cover 114completely covers the luggage storage compartment.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the central portion of anembodiment with the luggage compartment extended, showing thecompartment extending mechanism. As previously described, two of theluggage extension locking mechanisms 124 are shown where the frontvertical structural members of the bottom section 112 of the luggagemeet the front vertical structural members of the top section. In thisconfiguration, two more locking mechanisms 124 may be disposed incorresponding locations of the rear vertical structural members of thetop and bottom sections 110, 112.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective“another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one ormore elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to beinclusive such that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An extendable luggage device comprising: a bottomsection having a bottom, a plurality of sidewalls, a top opening and aside opening, the plurality of sidewalls coupled to the bottom; a topsection having a top, a plurality of sidewalls a bottom opening, and aside opening, the plurality of sidewalls coupled to the top; the topsection slidably coupled to the bottom section with the side opening ofthe top section and the side opening of the bottom section defining afront opening; a cover designed to cover the front opening; wherein thebottom section, the top section, and the cover define an interiorvolume.
 2. The extendable luggage device of claim 1, further comprisinga cover storage device coupled to a bottom surface of the bottom.
 3. Theextendable luggage device of claim 1, wherein the cover is designed toslidably cover the front opening.
 4. The extendable luggage device ofclaim 1, further comprising a cover locking mechanism coupled to atleast one of the cover and the top of the top section.
 5. The extendableluggage device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a flexiblematerial.
 6. The extendable luggage device of claim 1, wherein the covercomprises a plurality of rigid horizontal slats.
 7. An extendableluggage system comprising: a bottom section having a bottom, a pluralityof sidewalls, a top opening and a side opening, the plurality ofsidewalls coupled to the bottom; a top section having a top, a pluralityof sidewalls a bottom opening, and a side opening, the plurality ofsidewalls coupled to the top; the top section slidably coupled to thebottom section with the side opening of the top section and the sideopening of the bottom section defining a front opening; a cover storagedevice coupled to a bottom surface of the bottom; and a cover coupled tothe cover storage device, the cover designed to slidably cover the frontopening; wherein the bottom section, the top section, and the coverdefine an interior volume.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the topsection is smaller than the bottom section.
 9. The system of claim 7,wherein the bottom section is smaller than the top section.
 10. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the cover comprises a flexible material. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the cover is designed to roll up in thecover storage device.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the covercomprises a plurality of rigid horizontal slats.
 13. An extendableluggage system comprising: a bottom section having a bottom, a leftside, a right side, and a back side, the back side permanently coupledat right angles to the left side and the right side, and the bottompermanently coupled at right angles to the back side, the left side, andthe right side; a top section having a top, a left side, a right side,and a back side, the back side permanently coupled at right angles tothe left side and the right side, and the top permanently coupled atright angles to the back side, the left side, and the right side; thetop section slidably coupled to the bottom section with the left sidesdisposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other, the right sidesdisposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other, and the back sidesdisposed in parallel planes adjacent to each other, wherein a free edgeof each of the left sides, the right sides, the top, and the bottomdefine an opening; a cover storage device permanently coupled to abottom surface of the bottom; and a cover permanently coupled at abottom end to the cover storage device and slidably coupled to the leftand right sides of the bottom section and the top section; wherein thebottom section and the top section when slidably coupled together andwith the cover extended from the free edge of the bottom to the freeedge of the top defining an interior volume as a luggage storagecompartment.
 14. The system of claim 13 further comprising: a pluralityof sliding member pairs permanently coupled to the back, left, and rightsides of the top section and the bottom section, or permanently coupledto the edges of the top section and the bottom section where the back,left, and right sides meet, or a combination of both, slidably couplingeach of the sliding members permanently coupled to the top section to acorresponding sliding member of the bottom section.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising: an extension device permanently coupled tothe bottom section and operatively coupled to the sliding memberspermanently coupled to the top section.
 16. The system of claim 13further comprising: a plurality of casters permanently coupled to thebottom side of the bottom; and a cover locking mechanism permanentlycoupled to at least one of the cover and the free edge of the top.